In our increasingly digital world, it’s easy to assume everyone is moving towards a paperless future, but when it comes to the office, paper and print remains crucial.
While our use of paper in corporate environments has changed, and technology has made our working lives easier in many ways, the fact remains that office paper is here to stay. Let’s take a look at the reasons why…
1, Printed materials are easier to read
Human brains find it easier to read and retain information on printed paper, compared to on screens. Studies have found that while reading on screens is fine for grasping broader concepts and ideas, when it comes to digesting detail, reading on paper makes this easier. You’re also more likely to remember information by physically engaging with printed materials, whether it’s writing notes or highlighting key points.
So while skimming news headlines or reading for leisure might be suited to a screen, when it comes to reading and absorbing in-depth and important documents in the office, paper is best.
2, Paper gives our eyes a break
Too much screen time has been shown* to negatively affect concentration levels, and cause tiredness and eye fatigue. So, as well as being easier on your brain, using paper in the office gives your eyes a break too, and will allow you to concentrate for longer.
3, It’s a reliable way to communicate
Email is a brilliant means of communication, but it does have its downfalls. Emails can get lost in junk folders or blocked by spam filters, and a single power cut causes total disruption. Office papers, on the other hand, will not be affected by outages, or poor wifi, making it a far more reliable means of communication.
4, Printed materials hold more authority
Spam email, questionable downloads and increasingly dangerous phishing scams have made us all wary of everything that arrives in our digital inboxes. Paper documents, however, are less corruptible, and a more universally trusted method of communication.
Physical signatures are still much more widely accepted, too, and held in greater authority than digital signatures, which can often cause confusion.
5, It’s a more inclusive way to communicate
Inclusivity is hugely important in the workplace. With many corporate teams including people of various ages and digital abilities, using paper in certain office situations means you can be sure nobody will feel disadvantaged when it comes to accessing or responding to information.
And while digital skills are crucial to do well in business nowadays, so is experience. And by using a combination of print and online materials in the office, you can harness the benefits of both.
Contact the Springfield team to discuss which office paper is right for you.
*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9434525/